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Getting out and about

The Stamp Collecting Report, I'm Lloyd de Vries.

On almost any weekend in the U-S, chances are there's a stamp collecting show near you.
Some are big, with dozens of dealers, exhibits, seminars and meetings. Others are small,
maybe half a dozen dealers  in a V-F-W hall.

But some collectors don't think going to one is worth the time any more.

They say they can buy and sell stamps more comfortably on the Internet, look at rare
stamps online, and chat with other stamp collectors.

It's not the same.

Not every type of stamp can be bought on eBay. The site's fees are too high for the very
inexpensive, and most people would want to examine really expensive stamps in person before
plunking down thousands of dollars for them.

Some of my best finds have been in dealers' junk boxes at shows. They didn't know what they
had, and would never have offered it for sale online.

As for the exhibits, seeing something rare in a book or on the Web just isn't the same as
seeing it in person, in an exhibition. That's why museums stay in business.

And  inter-acting with other stamp collectors, in person, is invaluable, whether it's a
casual conversation or passing on a tip, with the actual stamps right there to look at.

So I'm packing my bags for a couple of stamp shows this summer.

I'm Lloyd de Vries of The Virtual Stamp Club. For more on stamps and stamp collecting,
visit virtual-stamp-club-dot-com.

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